Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion (Opens 2014)

[ReelJustice]

I'd be satisfied with Hogwarts Express art of some sort. Most intriguing part of this project imo.

 

[JungleSkip]

Well... yeah!

:thumbs:

I'd be satisfied with Hogwarts Express art of some sort. Most intriguing part of this project imo.

Agreed. We all basically know what to expect from Gringotts without knowing the specifics of the ride system. But the HE is such a wildcard here.

 

[Hatetofly]

So just to spark some debate. If the project cost of phase 1 was 240 million and the projected cost of the Japan location is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 500 million. What does everyone think the budget is for Phase 2 here in Orlando?

 

[JungleSkip]

So just to spark some debate. If the project cost of phase 1 was 240 million and the projected cost of the Japan location is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 500 million. What does everyone think the budget is for Phase 2 here in Orlando?

I'd guess close to 500.

 

[ReelJustice]

Need to start a helicopter rental fund because it's the only way we'll get any pics of Hogwarts Express construction.

 

[grizzlybarely]

So just to spark some debate. If the project cost of phase 1 was 240 million and the projected cost of the Japan location is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 500 million. What does everyone think the budget is for Phase 2 here in Orlando?

Depending on coaster manufacturer (I'm thinking Intamin or Premier), level of detail, and ride technology for Gringotts, that will likely be in the neighborhood of 80-120 million alone. Assuming this is the only major attraction, I'd guess 400 million. Diagon Alley won't be as grand as Hogsmeade/Hogwarts and this is a floor-to-ceiling job, whereas WWOHP1 was able to re-imagine previous attractions.

To spark further conversation, what kind of system do you think Gringotts will use? Launch, chain lift, elevator lift, something else?

 

[Teebin]

^ I don't understand the breakdown. Comcast is spending 500 million domestically or just here in Orlando? And yet Japan has a separate 500 million budget just for Potter? If so, sounds like Japan is getting the full monty. 1+2-DC and the Hippogriff?

 

[JungleSkip]

Depending on coaster manufacturer (I'm thinking Intamin or Premier), level of detail, and ride technology for Gringotts, that will likely be in the neighborhood of 80-120 million alone. Assuming this is the only major attraction, I'd guess 400 million. Diagon Alley won't be as grand as Hogsmeade/Hogwarts and this is a floor-to-ceiling job, whereas WWOHP1 was able to re-imagine previous attractions.

To spark further conversation, what kind of system do you think Gringotts will use? Launch, chain lift, elevator lift, something else?

I dunno if saying DA won't be as grand is really correct. Remember, we're getting a huge Gringotts facade and ride as well as a huge King's Cross/St. Pancras facade, completely new buildings, a monorail-type train ride to the other park, and a train station in the other park.

And I'd assume Gringotts will be launches and maybe lifts. Gotta seem like magic.

^ I don't understand the breakdown. Comcast is spending 500 million domestically or just here in Orlando? And yet Japan has a separate 500 million budget just for Potter? If so, sounds like Japan is getting the full monty. 1+2-DC and the Hippogriff?

Japan also has crazy strict building rules, remember. So who knows how 500 mill translates over there.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'd be satisfied with Hogwarts Express art of some sort. Most intriguing part of this project imo.

I don't think publicity art would reveal any of the technical details regarding how the train(s) cross backstage or how the effect is achieved. A successful attraction should convince you that you're boarding a train coach and nothing else.

 

[grizzlybarely]

^ I don't understand the breakdown. Comcast is spending 500 million domestically or just here in Orlando? And yet Japan has a separate 500 million budget just for Potter? If so, sounds like Japan is getting the full monty. 1+2-DC and the Hippogriff?

I said 400 million on Diagon Alley. Besides, 500 million here isn't necessarily 500 million there. I just gauged the budget of WWOHP1 and what coasters typically cost. I think the budget I gave for Gringotts is pretty accurate. Since Diagon Alley will be all new, I'm just guessing 400 million.

I dunno if saying DA won't be as grand is really correct. Remember, we're getting a huge Gringotts facade and ride as well as a huge King's Cross/St. Pancras facade, completely new buildings, a monorail-type train ride to the other park, and a train station in the other park.

And I'd assume Gringotts will be launches and maybe lifts. Gotta seem like magic.

I guess "grand" is a vague term. I don't think Diagon Alley will have the huge spaces that Hogsmeade has. Due to the nature of being an alley, it will be narrow spaces. Gringotts won't be as tall as Hogwarts, and Gringotts' show building will take up a huge plot of the land. I'm not saying it won't be beautiful; I agree with your points. I just mean that walking into DA probably won't "hit" as hard. Gringotts won't work as well of a weenie as Hogwarts. Hogsmeade/Hogwarts is the grand Wizarding World, DA is the quaint Wizarding World.

Could be wrong.

 

[JungleSkip]

I don't know if they can really get away with narrower, though. I mean...the current one is about as narrow as it can get.

 

[Voidfish]

I guess "grand" is a vague term. I don't think Diagon Alley will have the huge spaces that Hogsmeade has. Due to the nature of being an alley, it will be narrow spaces. Gringotts won't be as tall as Hogwarts, and Gringotts' show building will take up a huge plot of the land. I'm not saying it won't be beautiful; I agree with your points. I just mean that walking into DA probably won't "hit" as hard. Gringotts won't work as well of a weenie as Hogwarts. Hogsmeade/Hogwarts is the grand Wizarding World, DA is the quaint Wizarding World.

Could be wrong.

Well, maybe it wouldn't "'hit' as hard" in terms of physical scope, but I'd argue it'll have similar effects in terms of visuals, especially for those with any level of sentiment attached to Potter. I mean, what's the first wizard-y place you see or read about in the series? What's Harry's first introduction to this world he matters so much in but has only just discovered, the place that finally physically confirmed that he wasn't alone?

Rewatch this scene and tell me that wouldn't be grand:

[video=youtube;zhWoqobDZXQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWoqobDZXQ[/video]

(Actually, yeah, tell me if it wouldn't be; I have my Devout Potter Fanatic glasses on, as always.)

 

[Teebin]

I guess "grand" is a vague term.

Aaah, I assumed you were quoting a source. I didn't know that it was all conjecture. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[jtsalien]

Some more train debate I thought about on my commute home today. How do you think they'll handle the loading and unloading? Do you think we'll see 3 or 4 seats on either row? Do you think they'll be a Team Member on the train to direct people to seats to maximize capacity?

 

[JungleSkip]

Some more train debate I thought about on my commute home today. How do you think they'll handle the loading and unloading? Do you think we'll see 3 or 4 seats on either row? Do you think they'll be a Team Member on the train to direct people to seats to maximize capacity?

4 at least and yes.

 

[Voidfish]

I don't know if they can really get away with narrower, though. I mean...the current one is about as narrow as it can get.

This, too. Aren't the current dimensions considerably bigger/roomier than JKR was asking for to begin with? I don't think we'd be getting an actuall alley, lol.

 

[jtsalien]

4 at least and yes.

4 is probably most likely I think. Do we think it'll be a monorail style train retrofitted to look like a steam train while it's on the ground? I'm leading due to what Reel found.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I would think they would go for some sort of illusion that completely hides the actual train.

 

[ReelJustice]

Btw, I think the stations themselves will be elevated as well, but don't hold me to that.

 

[Bryan]

So will it be a single train on a dead ended track that goes back and forth?

Will they have two engines on the ends so it always looks like it's pulling into a station and then backing out?